Small businesses urged to collab when recouping from pandemic

Local First Arizona provides free consulting for small businesses across the state.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)- Small businesses make up a big part of our local economy.

That’s why it's important for not only residents to put dollars into our community, but for businesses to put their dollars together.

The executive director of Local First Arizona, Thomas Barr, says community collaborations may be the key to nursing local businesses back from this pandemic.

Barr suggests thinking through strategies to work creatively together because many of our local industries go hand in hand.

“Yuma's reputation for its agriculture is a huge asset for storytelling for local businesses. Especially for the businesses that source agriculture from those farms and use it in their restaurants," Barr said.

He added, "Not only are those farms being supported but that restaurant is probably hiring a local print shop they probably have a local insurance agent, they probably have a local accountant. That contributes to a stronger circular economy.”

Local First Arizona provides free consulting, webinars, and resources for small businesses across Arizona.

Barr says they can even help local businesses apply for the Paycheck Protection Program loan.

The deadline is June 30.